A report from John Wilson - an experienced former headteacher - has been published on how to improve the way schools are funded and governed.

John Wilson is an Independent Professional Adviser to the Scottish Government and was appointed to identify priorities for reform based on his extensive experience as a secondary headteacher.

His recommendations, which will be considered as part of a three-month dialogue with local authorities, include creating Local Schools Authorities to take on statutory responsibility for the delivery of school education and reviewing how schools measure success while making it easier for them to collaborate and share best practice with each other.

He also calls for clearly defining and ring-fencing national funding for education, and improving consistency in the way this funding is recorded by local authorities.

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: "I am clear-eyed about the need for change and for excellence. As well as developing a new curriculum and creating phone-free learning environments across Scotland, we’re seizing the opportunity provided by the public service reform agenda to address core issues in our education system.

“This report provides an invaluable contribution to this process, and I’m grateful to John Wilson and everyone else who took part. This publication is intended to contribute to a dialogue with councils. I look forward to setting out our response to the recommendations once that process is complete.”